It's a day of celebration. We get to live how we want. Say what we think. And despite my ramblings about unfair pay, I believe with all my heart that this truly is a land of opportunity. At the risk of sounding trite, I am grateful to call America my home.
The city is empty. Traffic on First is minimal.
Nevertheless, on the corner of 79th and First stands a bored looking Louis. (In this case, his real name).
Louis's bright yellow vest clearly identifies him as a traffic cop. And here, in this city, it's the traffic police who are responsible for enforcing the biking laws (which are the same as they are for cars, but Louis claims not to know this).
I'm standing on the corner waiting for the light to turn when a bicyclist zooms past Louis and takes a right turn on a red light. Highly illegal. This is so disrespectful to poor Louis. I almost feel sorry for him. But maybe the bicyclist knows Louis or has seen him before. He perhaps knows better than I that Louis is busying himself with more pressing concerns.
So I say to Louis, "Hey, how come you didn't do anything when that bicyclist rode right by you, didn't even slow down, and took an illegal right on red?"
"That's not my priority. I'm here to make sure that traffic is moving steadily."
There is hardly any traffic. And, I'm not sure what that even means, making sure that traffic is moving steadily. If a car breaks down will Louis personally tow it? If there are cars blocking the intersection (which is unlikely on a holiday weekend) will he fix it?
"So you don't do anything at all if something else happens that's illegal?"I ask.
"That's right."
"I mean, it's not like you're chasing after some slasher and you can't stop to write up a bicyclist. There's hardly any traffic."
He says nothing; I continue.
"So let me make sure I understand. I'm told that the NYC Traffic police are the ones responsible for enforcing the rules of the road for bikers. And you're telling me that it's not your priority, so that even when a biker blatantly makes an illegal right turn on red in front of you, you don't do anything?"
Again, he says nothing. At least he's smart enough to know there is no good response.
Still, I love this country and this city too.
Susan and I go to Jill's to celebrate the holiday. Dinner, drinks and a spectacular view of the Brooklyn Bridge, the Statue of Liberty, and big, beautiful fireworks.
Getting onto the subway for the ride home is a challenge. Police everywhere. So many people it looks like anyone who didn't go to the Hamptons came to DUMBO instead.
Finally make it home. It's now dark. 11:15. And there on the corner of 79th and First still stands Louis. I stop to say good-night. Eight hours standing on a street corner can't be much fun. I hope Louis has someone waiting for him at home.
Happy 4th.
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